Most respected martial arts masters in the US/Canada today?

November 26, 2007 12:55 PM

Most respected martial arts masters in the US/Canada today?

I'm particularly interested in 1st generation masters who brought their knowledge with them from China, Japan, Taiwan, etc. Ie, I'm more interested in pre-eminent masters with strong links to and commitment to the propagation of tradition/culture/knowledge than just a list of the most effective fighters. All suggestions most welcome.

posted by It ain't over yet to sports, hobbies, & recreation (11 comments total)

In capoeira, Mestre Joao Grande is widely respected as a grandmaster, carrying on the traditions of Mestre Pastinha - who is credited as opening the first capoeira angola academy in Brazil.
posted by gnutron at 1:27 PM on November 26, 2007

In aikido, Kazuo Chiba, Yoshimitsu Yamada, Koichi Tohei, and Mitsugi Saotome are some of the most influential and respected shihan who have been in the U.S. a long time but originally came from Japan.
posted by Joleta at 1:45 PM on November 26, 2007

I think Vincent Lyn still teaches in Connecticut. When my son was learning from him, he taught a family form of southern style Shaolin called Ling Gar. As far as I know, the art will probably die with him.
posted by thanotopsis at 1:45 PM on November 26, 2007

Grandmaster Sin Kwang The traces his lineage back 3 generations to the Fukien temple.

I studied with two of his most senior students, Elder Masters Sharon Sorad and David Sorad. They travel with Grandmaster The to China every few years and seems to be very well received over there. In general, their schools were simply the best I've ever seen in my life. They were very keen on preserving as many of the old traditions as possible, as well as being free of a lot of greed and ego that poisons many martial arts school. Having moved from Colorado, this is the one thing I miss more than anything else.
posted by Nelsormensch at 1:52 PM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

Grandmaster John Pellegrini founder of The International Combat Hapkido Federation. He is also the only American who holds 9th Dan in Hapkido in Korea, 8th Dan in Taekwondo, and certified instructor of Aikido and Jeet Kune Do. He no longer teaches in a school but performs seminars across the country. I've met him twice and he is one of the most down to earth martial artists. He resides in Florida.
posted by bleucube at 2:05 PM on November 26, 2007

Dan Inosanto.
posted by the cuban at 2:05 PM on November 26, 2007

The Gracie family.
posted by HighTechUnderpants at 2:18 PM on November 26, 2007

Gary Lam
posted by criticalbill at 2:33 PM on November 26, 2007

Jae Hun Kim in boston.
posted by milinar at 2:48 PM on November 26, 2007

Jhoon Rhee
posted by mysterious1der at 5:25 PM on November 26, 2007

Tadashi Nakamura
posted by smich at 10:52 AM on November 27, 2007